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Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) is a medical charity working to improve the quality of life for people in Scotland affected by chest, heart and stroke illness, through medical research, influencing public policy, advice and information, and support in the community. CONTENTS 1.	History 2.	Activities 3.	Awards/other areas 4.	Links

1 .HISTORY Founded firstly for the prevention of Tuberculosis in 1899, then including heart disease in 1959 in response to the recognition of evolving heart conditions, the charity then added stroke to its remit in 1976, reflecting the dramatic changes in Scotland’s health problems and eventually became known as Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland in 1991.

2. ACTIVITIES ADVICE AND INFORMATION The Advice Line nurses provide confidential, independent advice on all aspects of chest, heart and stroke illness to people affected, their carers and health professionals. http://www.chss.org.uk/advice_line/ CHSS produce an extensive range of booklets, factsheets and DVDs which help, advise and inform on all aspects of chest, heart and stroke illness. http://www.chss.org.uk/publications/

COMMUNITY SUPPORT CHSS provide services throughout the country for people affected by chest, heart and stroke illness and their carers. The Volunteer Stroke Service (VSS) supports people who have had a stroke, particularly those left with communication difficulties. The VSS offers weekly stroke groups, services specifically for younger people, outreach services and carers’ support. http://www.chss.org.uk/community_support/stroke_services/volunteer_stroke_service/index.php

The Community Support Network consists on independent member-led groups offering support which are affiliated to CHSS. There are about 100 such clubs. http://www.chss.org.uk/community_support/affiliated_groups.php

Stroke Nurses support stroke patients to ensure a smooth transition from hospital back into the community and help foster independence on the part of patients and their carers. http://www.chss.org.uk/community_support/stroke_services/strokenurses.php

CHSS Chest and Heart Services include specialist nurses provided in partnership with the NHS, a matched volunteer service and patient and carers forum events, for people living with the effects of heart failure and chest illness. http://www.chss.org.uk/community_support/chest_services/ http://www.chss.org.uk/community_support/heart_services/

Personal Support Grants and Benefits Advice are available for those in financial difficulties because of the effects of chest, heart or stroke illness. http://www.chss.org.uk/community_support/welfare/index.php http://www.chss.org.uk/community_support/welfare/welfare_benefits_advisors.php

EDUCATION AND TRAINING Our Education programmes, including the web-based STARs (Stroke Training and Rehabilitation) project, offer training for health and social care professionals and people affected by heart and stroke illness. •	CHSS stroke training courses •	Stroke core competencies •	STARs project •	The Stroke Competency Toolkit (SCoT) •	Stroke4Carers

RESEARCH CHSS INVESTS MORE THAN £1MILLION A YEAR IN VITAL MEDICAL RESEARCH IN Scottish hospitals and medical schools. These projects cover the whole range of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of chest, heart and stroke illness. http://www.chss.org.uk/research/

FUNDRAISING To maintain and expand the vital work in research and community services, CHSS relies almost entirely on the continuing generosity of the Scottish public, business and community organisations. Every pound raised in Scotland is spent on research and services in Scotland. The charity needs £7million per year to provide the services. Fundraising activities range from events such as bike rides, abseils and driving challenges to marathons and walks, whilst the schools fundraising programme encourages exercise and healthy eating. https://www.chssi.org.uk/fundraising/

CHARITY SHOPS The charity has over 20 shops across Scotland selling a range of donated goods, including clothing and accessories, collectables and books. The only new goods sold are CHSS Christmas cards. http://www.chss.org.uk/fundraising/charity_shops/

DONATIONS The public also give generously through general and in memoriam donations and many leave a gift to support the work of the charity in a will. http://www.chss.org.uk/fundraising/inmem/

VOLUNTEERS Volunteers are a vital part of CHSS and without their support a lot of the work would not be possible. Volunteers can help by being a group helper, home visitor, driver, charity shop worker, fundraiser, office or event assistant. http://www.chss.org.uk/volunteering/

3. AWARDS/OTHER AREAS The CHSS Advice Line achieved accreditation with The Helplines Association (THA) in 2001 and was the first charity helpline in the UK to be re-accredited for a 4th time in 2010. CHSS holds the prestigious Investing in Volunteers award in recognition of the high level of support and training it provides to its volunteers.

4. LINKS CHSS website – www.chss.org.uk Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/CHSScotland http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/CHSSAdviceLine Twitter - https://twitter.com/CHSSAdviceLine Annual report and accounts - http://www.chss.org.uk/about_us/annual_report.php The Helplines Association - http://www.helplines.org.uk/ SIGN guidelines - http://www.sign.ac.uk/